NHL’s newest Mr. 600: Counting down Alexander Ovechkin’s top 5 goals

2. Ovechkin on his back: Part 1

By the 2006 season, the entire league knew Alexander Ovechkin was a star. He won the Calder Trophy for best rookie and scored more than 50 goals. But it was in his sophomore season Ovechkin created his most memorable highlight of all.

When you ask a fan which specific Ovechkin goal stands out the most, many will say this is the one. With a four-goal lead halfway through the third period, Ovechkin strips the defenseman at the blue line and breaks into the Coyotes zone. He had one defenseman to get past and instead of taking the play outside like most players would do, Ovechkin went straight at the defenseman.  He attempted a toe drag that didn’t totally work out as the defender tied up Ovechkin and knocked him to the ice. As he is falling down, Ovechkin has the awareness to pull the puck around him, then as he is sliding on his back he corkscrews and tucks the puck past the goalie.

This goal instantly became famous. It became a viral sensation everywhere, rightfully so. The amount of skill and total body control to pull off this move is incredible. One of the greatest parts of this goal was not just the finish but the fact the greatest goal scorer of all time, Wayne Gretzky, was coaching the other team. Some might think a goal like this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. No one could score twice while sliding on his back like that, right?

Well, Alexander Ovechkin can and did, and his second time was just as spectacular.